Dear Editor,
It is important that a, response be made to Sunday’s Kaieteur News’ cartoon and “The Baccoo Speaks” (KN:14th October, 2018). The two have sought, to directly and indirectly, to assassinate my character by presenting the impression (pictorial and words) that decisions being made by me, as General Secretary of the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU), on the current negotiation with the Ministry of Education, are informed by directives of the PPP, namely Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo.
Kaieteur News is being asked to provide the evidence that my actions and decisions on the current negotiations are in any way, shape or form informed by the Opposition. At this period when the Union has before it a menu of measures that are being considered, with a view to determine what happens tomorrow and onward, the attempt to sow seeds of discord among our membership has not escaped me.
The media plays a very important role in our society, as a watchdog and seeker of truth. In our fractured society both are equally important. Kaieteur News’ Editor and Publisher must also ask how they want the newspapers to be presented and represented in the eyes of the public, and more particularly by the young generation. Dare I ask: when are we going to stop the manufactured political divisiveness and misrepresentation?
The GTU represents teachers with a wide array of political interest and lack of interest, which is respected in keeping with the citizens’ right to freedom of association. Matters relating to representation by the GTU are guided by trade union and moral principles. Our history proves this. Irrespective of the party or group that holds governmental office the GTU has a proud record of continuously agitating for its members. Where necessary the GTU did engage or had engaged in industrial actions to bring about results. Our membership has engaged in industrial actions under the colonial authority; the People’s Progressive Party, the People’s National Congress, and the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administrations. Our industrial actions during the APNU+AFC administration should therefore not be seen as strange.
I entered the trade union leadership during the PPP/C administration. During that time the GTU negotiated with the Ministry of Education, led by a PPP/C Minister, and engaged in industrial actions. None at that time, at least not Kaieteur News, considered industrial actions informed by the then Opposition or me their agent or lackey.
In 2017, I received a National Award, the Golden Arrow of Achievement, from the APNU+AFC Administration, in recognition of my work in Trade Unionism. This was a nomination that came directly from the APNU+AFC Administration. The medal directly from the APNU+AFC Administration. The medal was pinned on my chest by President David Granger on the 6th October 2017, at the Investiture Ceremony, held at the National Cultural Centre. It’s ridiculous that having been recognised for my work in trade unionism by the present Administration, in continuing same, I am now being accused by Kaieteur News, in two separate areas on the same day, of being a PPP/C agent or lackey. This smacks of partisan political mischief and gives the impression it’s a deliberate attempt to sow seeds of discord among the GTU’s membership at a time when the leadership has to return to teachers to discuss the package.
To the working class, aluta continua- the struggle continues!
Yours faithfully,
Coretta McDonald, A.A
General Secretary, Guyana Teachers’ Union
President, Guyana Trades Union Congress.
